Systematic Sabotage: France, Russia, and China Exposed in UN Oil-for-Food Program Scandal

Congressional investigators have unveiled a damning briefing paper exposing the systematic sabotage of the former United Nations oil-for-food program in Iraq by France, Russia, and China. The investigations reveal that these nations deliberately hindered US and British efforts to investigate whether Saddam Hussein was diverting billions of dollars from the program. The three nations, which had significant business interests in Iraq, constantly blocked inquiries into Iraq's manipulation of the program, leaving it vulnerable to corruption.

Key Takeaways:

• The UN oil-for-food program, established in 1996, was systematically sabotaged by France, Russia, and China, allowing Saddam Hussein's regime to manipulate the program and divert billions of dollars in aid.
• The three nations blocked US and British efforts to investigate corruption in the program, which was used to pay for food, medicine, and other goods for the Iraqi people.
• The program's greatest weakness was a lack of transparency, with most transactions done behind closed doors or illicitly, and the lists of oil purchasers and aid providers withheld from UN members and the public.
• Investigators accuse the UN office charged with overseeing the program of having "pressed" contractors not to rigorously inspect Iraqi oil and foreign goods, and turning a blind eye to corruption charges.
• Representative Christopher Shays, chair of the House subcommittee, believes that the abuses were systemic and that blame must be shared by UN Security Council members, the UN office, and the contractors hired to inspect Iraq's oil exports and aid purchases.
• The hearing will focus on Cotecna, Saybolt International B.V., and BNP Paribas, which are accused of having conflicts of interest and failing to adequately inspect and monitor the program.
• The UN internal audits continue to be withheld from UN members and the public, raising questions about the accountability and transparency of the program's administration.

Statistics:

• The oil-for-food program used $64.2 billion in Iraqi oil sales to pay for food, medicine, and other goods from 1997 to 2003.
• Saddam Hussein's government is accused of having pocketed more than $10 billion from the six-year program.
• The program's lack of transparency led to most transactions being done behind closed doors or illicitly, with the lists of oil purchasers and aid providers withheld from UN members and the public.

Sources:

• "House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations"
• Representative Christopher Shays, interview with The New York Times
• Government Accountability Office, "Oil-for-Food Program: Weak Oversight Led to Irregularities and Vulnerabilities" (no date mentioned)